The Vargas Cartel Trilogy (Vargas Cartel #1-3)(48)

“He’ll do what I tell him to do.” His tone was solid, definite, and full of confidence. Was it misplaced? I didn’t know.

“How can you say that?”

“I don’t work for him.”

“But…” I ran my hands through my hair, tearing my fingers through the tangled strands.

“Look, Hattie, I can’t tell you everything, but I promised you could go home and you’d get your life back, and that includes walking away without a video or any other incriminating evidence hanging over your head.”

I sat unmoving for a second, waiting for him to add to his explanation. He didn’t. He wouldn’t, but he’d given me all the reassurance I needed. “Okay,” I said feeling relieved, but also feeling like an idiot for believing in him.

“Come on. Let’s check out your new room.” He held out his hand. I slid my hand into his and hopped out of the car. I didn’t want to let go of him. He was the only solid thing in my life, but he didn’t give me the choice. He dropped my hand the minute my feet hit the pavement—one more symbolic gesture pointing to his imminent departure from my life.

“New room?” I questioned, following him toward the villa instead of the shack-like structure he put me in when I arrived the first time.

“Yes. I arranged for you to have a room in the villa.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Next to mine so I can check on you from time to time, but for the most part, you’ll be free to roam the villa and its grounds.”

Surprised, I stopped walking. “I can go wherever I want. No one will stop me?”

Ryker turned to face me. “As long as you don’t do anything stupid, you’re free to stay in your room, go to the pool, and watch television.” He shrugged. “Whatever you want, except use the computer or the phone.”

“Alone?”

“No.”

“Are you going watch me?” I chuckled, but it came from nerves rather than humor. I didn’t need to feed my growing attachment to Ryker. My situation reminded me of one of those ‘don’t feed the animals’ signs. It only encouraged the animals to rely on humans for food. In my case, spending more time with Ryker would encourage my mushrooming addiction to him.

“No. We can’t spend any more time together.” Ryker opened the villa door, and I followed him inside. A twinge of disappointment twisted my gut, and my pathetic reaction only confirmed he was right. Spending more time together wasn’t a good idea. Actually, it was a terrible idea.

The villa was just as I remembered it—a collage of warm jewel tones and creamy whites. An oversized, oil-rubbed bronze chandelier, dripping with hundreds of tiny diamond-shaped crystals, hung from the center of the vaulted ceiling. Light from the wall of windows reflected off the crystals, creating hundreds of miniature rainbows on the tile floor, walls, and furniture. I’d seen many impressive homes in my life, and this villa rivaled any of them.

Ryker turned right down the hallway and I followed him, treading four or five steps behind. “Where’s the pool?” I asked. Logically, it should have been right out the living room doors, but I didn’t see it when I escaped a couple days ago.

“On the side of the house.” Ryker nudged the door open to a bedroom.

It resembled a smaller version of the one where Ryker left me a couple days ago. Same creamy bedding. Same honeyed wood. The throw blanket at the bottom of the bed was orange, cranberry, and dark chocolate instead of red and black. The ceilings weren’t vaulted, but it looked nearly identical.

“Maybe you could bring me there next.” I wanted to swim some laps. Even though I had run through the jungle when I tried to escape, it didn’t offer the same fix as structured exercise in a controlled environment. I ran and swam religiously at home. It kept me focused. It kept me in control.

“Javier will show you.”

“Okay.” I nodded. “That will work.”

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and rocked back onto his heels. “Your clothes should be in the closet. Your toiletries should be in the bathroom. Your suitcase is under the bed. I had them put everything in here.”

“What about my phone?”

“Except for your phone.”

My shoulders slumped even as I knotted my hands into fists. I didn’t expect a different answer. He may have granted me limited freedom, but it would be dumb to give me my phone, and Ryker wasn’t dumb. Far from it. I squared my shoulders and cocked my chin to the side. “I wanted to call Vera.”

“Your red-headed friend from the bar?” He rubbed the dark stubble on his chin with the top of his knuckles.

“Yes, that’s Vera. I don’t think my family will keep her in the loop, and I know she’ll be worried about me.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “I know Vera, and she’s blaming herself for what happened to me.”

He sighed. “I’ll think about it, but don’t get your hopes up. It probably won’t happen, and if it does, it won’t be until a few hours before you’re released.”

“Am I going to be released soon?” I knew I shouldn’t prod him for answers. He had given me enough for one day, but I wanted to know.

“Everything hinges on the video conference tomorrow, but that’s the plan.”

“Will I see you later today?”